Apply to Compete

All Challenge Cup Locals are now complete, and one winner from each event has been selected to compete in the Global Finals at Challenge Festival. At Challenge Festival, competing startups will have the opportunity to participate in mentor hours, curriculum and pitch coaching as well as make direct connections to potential funders, clients, experts, and 75 of the top startup peer-founders from around the world. Check out the list of startups competing at this year’s Challenge Festival.

Through 1776’s UNION network, all competitors in Challenge Cup Locals will have access to expert advice, accelerator curriculum, pitch coaching and the ability to network with startup competitors around the world for the duration of their time in the competition.

One (1) winner from each Local competition will advance to the Global Finals, held during the Challenge Festival from November 13-17, 2017. The winning startup will receive:

One flight and hotel package to attend and participate in the Global Finals.

Publicity via the 1776 website, social media channels and newsletter.

Global Finals level
One winner from each Challenge Cup Local will travel to compete in the Global Finals at the Challenge Festival. These startups will have the opportunity to share their ideas on a global stage and compete for grand prizes. All competitors will receive:

A round trip ticket and hotel stay to compete in the Global Finals at Challenge Festival.

At each local event, each of the 15-20 selected startups will deliver a 2-minute elevator pitch, followed by a 1-minute Q&A with a panel of judges, made up of a mix of local investors and industry experts.

The judges will select one winning startup per local to advance to the Global Finals.

This winning startup will receive a round-trip flight and hotel accommodations to compete in the Global Finals at Challenge Festival from November 13-17, 2017.

Global Finals level

Semifinals Round — All 75 of the winning startups will participate in the semifinals round at Challenge Festival. Each startup will deliver a 2-minute pitch with 2 minutes of Q&A with the judges.

Final Round — 8 winners from those semifinals will advance to the final round, where each will deliver a 4-minute pitch and participate in 3 minutes of Q&A with the judges. The winners will receive grand prizes.

1776 is the largest network of incubators that cultivates and empowers startup ecosystems in the Northeast Corridor. We exist to strengthen the cities and economies by building a thriving community of entrepreneurs.